Reading, Watching, Listening

Every few months I like to review my favorite books that I’ve read. But I can’t just stop there. I also include the movies and TV shows I binge watch to hopefully keep you busy and distracted for hours at a time. Here are my recent reads and favorites as of late. As always, I think I’m a fairly tough critic. So if there’s something you LOVED on here, that I didn’t, just know that I respectfully, disagree.

This photo is from Carturesti Carusel book store in Bucharest, Romania and just might be the prettiest store I’ve ever seen!

Reading, Watching, Listening

Reading:

We all have a little hippy-dippy in us. Some more than others. Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love has more than others. I wasn’t a fan of that book, but I am of Big Magic. It’s the kind that speaks to my hippy-dippy soul and reminds me to keep on being creative, reaching for the stars, and work on my odd passions. If you want a feel good self-help book go with this one.

The true mystery of this psychological thriller is trying to count the number of times the narrator says, “my husband’s wife.” At first, the story hooked me, I wanted to know more about this odd, newly married couple who seemed to rush their marriage. Then, I wanted to know more about the girl next door, Carla, who’s family hailed from Italy and now lived with her mother who slept with a married man. But the story was convoluted, a bit dry, and all a bit silly. I’d say pass. I love psychological thrillers but this one just doesn’t do the trick.

I grew up reading the classic Laura Ingalls Wilder book’s “Little House on the Prairie.” They were kind of like my Harry Potter. Except very realistic. I will withhold my rating (although it’s bound to be very high) as I’ve just started this book. The story is historical, true, and a biography of one of my favorite authors. If you were touched by these books I think this is the perfect book to read to really learn and understand more about her life.

Watching:

For some strange reason this movie has a 6.7 on IMDB.com. Whenever Michael and I go to watch a movie we first check the rating there. Then maybe double check on Rotten Tomatoes. Usually, IMDB gets it right. But 6.7 is far too low. This movie is interesting, funny, true, and outrageous. The story follows Kenny Wells (played by Matthew McConaughey), a prospector who goes on an epic adventure to find adventure gold in Indonesia. This just goes to show ratings might not always line up with what you like.

Riverdale 3/5

I love Riverdale. I needed some good ol’ fashioned teen drama in my life and this show provides it. I prefer my drama to be on my screen, not present in my life and Riverdale is the answer. It’s on Season 2 and it loosely follows the Archie comic book with your typical cast of characters like Betty, Veronica, and Jughead. But, it’s much much more twisted. As in, there’s been a death. Is this the best acting this side of the silver screen? No. But it’s entertaining.

I don’t know why I’m watching this season of the Bachelor. I’m not particularly smitten with the lead male, Arie. And I’m not very keen on many of the girls. I still can’t get over how recently, in Paris (FOR THE FIRST TIME) the reaction of Lauren (there were like 5 Lauren’s on the show, so, the blonde one will really narrow it down…) seemed to be unimpressed by Paris. She casually says “Wow” a half dozen times while looking at some of the coolest architecture in the world. I can tell you that was not my first reaction to Paris. It was tears and jumps of elation. But anyway… I still watch this show while editing photos.

The Olympics

I might be in Morocco, but that doesn’t mean I can’t sneak in watching some Olympics. I always get excited to cheer on the good, ol’ USA! Favorite winter sport has to be figure skating.

Listening:

This podcast was started by my bad ass friend Alisha. It’s all about living life on purpose and carving out your dreams. She actually interviewed me the other day all about moving abraoad and pursuing my dream as a full-time blogger.

Sometimes book are so bad you just have to stop. Which is precisely what I did with this book. I love other Beatriz Williams books, but this one was a snore. She writes with a similar formula – connecting past and present with characters along the way. But I just detested the characters and the plot. The story follows Virginia who has a dark family secret and lands on the battle fields as a nurse in France in WWI. Fast forward to years later, she’s back at the beach and her husband, a captain in the war, is dead. She’s there to settle his estate but thinks her husband might actually not be dead. It all sounds fine and good but it just read (or sounded, since I listened on Audible) very boring.

Michael and I love listening to books on tape. Wait, yes, I’m aware it’s the 21st century. Listening to books on Audible from our space phones. Regardless, it’s what we do in the car. Previously, we listened to Larson’s “Devil in the White City.” Which I loved and had to have more form this brilliant author. Larson tells true stories as if they are fiction. It never feels dry or forced, just an interesting tale. But Isaac’s Storm was a bit boring. You can only hear about the weather so many times. And this was a time too many. We didn’t end up finishing the book because it just wasn’t interesting.

That’s it for now. I need to find a good book. I would love any and all recommendations you guys have. You always seem to have such awesome ideas so I’m all ears!